Read a full match report of the Championship game between Blackburn Rovers and
Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park on Wednesday Nov 28, 2012.

Over the last 13 campaigns, these Lancashire rivals have never been out of the same league. When Blackburn were automatically promoted from the Championship in 2001, Bolton accompanied them via the play-offs and when one was relegated last season, the other followed.

The pattern is likely to continue unless Bolton, whose problems – unlike Blackburn’s – appear more to do with a ­gradual corrosion of confidence rather than absence of collective ability, can regularly recreate the performance that secured the points here.

A return to the Premier League is a financial necessity for both and why managerial changes have been made.

Under Dougie Freedman, Bolton remain unbeaten while Blackburn are still without a home victory in three since Henning Berg was appointed.

Another defeat with signs of regression made for a familiar atmosphere at Ewood Park. The heckling did not end with Steve Kean’s departure.

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Dickson Etuhu was jeered on his substitution, fans mockingly cheered Danny Murphy’s scooped miss. By comparison, Freedman said it was the best Bolton had played under his stewardship, hailing the role of Chris Eagles who supplied Kevin Davies’ early opener. “He was outstanding and we can get even more out of him,” Freedman said.

Jacob Butterfield and Chung-Yong Lee were too rapid for Blackburn’s defence and midfield. Lee extended Bolton’s lead on the hour when he reacted first to a free-kick that had been parried on to the post by Paul Robinson.

Blackburn pushed after Jordan Rhodes converted a header but anything more would have been undeserved.